Computing Technologies and System Architecture

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary terms from lecture notes on computing technologies, history, hardware architecture, networking, and the internet.

Computing Technologies

Tools and systems for processing, storing, and communicating data.

Hardware

Physical parts of a computer that you can touch, such as a monitor or keyboard.

Software

Programs or applications that run on hardware, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Office.

Network

Systems that connect computers to share data, such as Wi-Fi or LAN.

Data

Raw facts and figures that computers process, including numbers and texts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Machines or software that simulates human intelligence, such as chatbots.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Connects physical devices to the internet to collect and analyze data without human interaction, such as smart thermostats.

Cloud Computing

Technology that allows access to data, software, and storage from another device, such as Google Drive.

Abacus

An ancient manual calculating device used for basic arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction (3000BCE).

Pascaline

A mechanical calculator from the 1600s developed by Blaise Pascal that used gears and wheels for addition and subtraction.

Analytical Engine

A proposed design by Charles Babbage for the first programmable mechanical computer using punch cards.

1st Gen Computers

Computers from the 1940s - 1950s that used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.

2nd Gen Computers

Computers from the 1950s - 1960s that replaced vacuum tubes with transistors to be smaller and more energy-efficient.

3rd Gen Computers

Computers from the 1960s - 1970s that introduced integrated circuits (ICs) combining multiple transistors on a single chip.

4th Gen Computers

Computers from the 1970s - present featuring microprocessors where the CPU is built onto a single chip.

Charles Babbage

Known as the Father of the Computer; he designed the Analytical Engine.

Ada Lovelace

Recognized as the first computer programmer.

Alan Turing

Pioneer of artificial intelligence and cryptography who developed the Turing Machine and deciphered Nazi codes in WWII.

ENIAC

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer; the first general-purpose, fully electronic digital computer (1940s).

Intel 4004

The first commercial microprocessor released in 1971.

World Wide Web

Created in 1991, it made the internet widely usable by adding hyperlinks and graphical interfaces.

System Software

Software that controls the computer and runs other programs, such as Windows.

Application Software

Software used for specific tasks like writing, such as MS Office.

Utility Software

Software that cleans, protects, and manages the system, such as Antivirus Programs.

Data Processing Cycle

The sequence of Input, Processing, Storage, Output, and Feedback used to handle information.

Computer System Architecture

The blueprint, design, structure, and organization of a computer system describing how hardware components work together.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that serves as the foundation and allows communication between all hardware components.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The brain of the computer that executes instructions, performs calculations, and controls operations.

Control Unit

A component of the CPU that directs and manages computer operations.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

A component of the CPU that performs mathematical calculations and logical decisions.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Temporary, volatile memory that stores running programs and allows for fast read and write access.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Permanent, non-volatile memory that stores startup instructions and is mostly read-only.

Cache Memory

Small, high-speed memory close to the CPU that stores frequently used instructions for faster access.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A storage device that uses spinning magnetic disks and has moving parts, making it slower and less durable than SSDs.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A storage device using flash memory with no moving parts, offering faster read/write speeds.

NVMe SSD

A type of SSD that provides the fastest performance compared to SATA versions.

Expansion Slots

Connectors on the motherboard, such as PCIe or M.2, that allow users to install additional hardware.

Computer Buses

Communication pathways (Data, Address, and Control) that transfer data between the computer’s internal components.

Peripherals

External devices connected to a computer, categorized as Input, Output, or Input/Output devices.

Computer Boot Process

The sequence of steps to start up and load the OS, beginning with the power supply and ending with the OS loading.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A network that connects devices within one building or area.

Network Topology

The arrangement of devices and connections, such as Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh, or Hybrid.

Fiber Optic Cable

A type of cabling that uses light to send data at high speeds.

IP Address

A unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network that uses Internet Protocol for communication.

IPv4

A 32-bit version of Internet Protocol used for device communication.

IPv6

The newest version of Internet Protocol providing more addresses using 128 bits.

Search Engine Crawling

The initial step for search engines to find pages on the internet.

Search Engine Indexing

The process by which search engines organize the information they find.